Man Utd in talks over knockdown €15m transfer with Real Madrid; Ten Hag makes up mind on 112-goal star
Anthony Martial is a target for Real Madrid
Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Real Madrid to offer them the chance to sign Anthony Martial on a cut-price deal amid a claim that Erik ten Hag has decided to dispose with the Frenchman’s services.
The 27-year-old is now into his ninth season as a United player, though appears very much a fading force at Old Trafford. Indeed, in his previous eight seasons at the club, Martial has only once broken the 20-goal a season barrier; that coming in the 2019/20 season when he notched 23 times under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
That form resulted in Martial signing a new and improved deal, keeping him at Old Trafford until summer 2024, though United do have the option to extend that by a further year.
However, off the back of an injury-hit and frustrating first season under Ten Hag, Martial could only muster nine goals from 29 appearances for the Red Devils.
And despite starting Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, reports from Spain now claim Ten Hag has seen enough of the French forward.
To that end, they claim officials from United have been in touch to offer Real Madrid the chance to sign Martial on a knockdown fee. And per the report, so desperate are United to get Martial off their books, Los Blancos are being offered the chance to sign the forward on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy for just €15m (£12.9m) next summer.
With Karim Benzema departing the Bernabeu for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad over the summer, Carlo Ancelotti’s side lack something of a focal point in attack. Other than temporary replacement – and former Middlesbrough striker – Josulu, Real don’t really have a central striking option.
Anthony Martial linked with Real Madrid move
Real do have Brazilian pair Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo to call upon up front, though neither would be considered out and out centre forwards.
But with the flexibility to play across the frontline – together with the unlikeliness of a move for Kylian Mbappe getting off the ground – a move for Martial could certainly tick a few boxes from the Spanish giants.
Martial does also have experience of playing in LaLiga, having spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Sevilla, where he scored just the once in 12 appearances.
However, as the Daily Mail is at pains to point out, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will bite and take United up on their invitation to sign the frontman.
His record with injuries remains questionable and while the player has many obvious talents, getting a regular tune out of him has proved a real enigma for several managers at Old Trafford over the years.
One thing that can be said with some certainty though is that Martial will slip down the pecking order once summer signing Rasmus Hojlund returns to full fitness. The £72m signing from Atalanta is yet to feature since his arrival, but will likely find himself drafted straight in once he is declared ready.
Martial isn’t the only player likely to leave Old Trafford before the window shuts with the club actively looking to move Harry Maguire on, while Bayern Munich are also reportedly exploring a possible deal for Scott McTominay.
Martial, meanwhile, has scored a total of 88 goals for United in 300 appearances for the club. He’s also won 30 caps for his country during his time at Manchester United, with his last cap coming back in 2021.
READ MORE: The 10 biggest Manchester United transfers of all time: Hojlund takes sixth spot after summer move
